Week 6 Weigh In: Been Busy

I have missed a couple of weeks weighing in due to my schedule keeping me away from the scale. I can tell you those two weeks I didn't lose any weight. I was keeping to my allowed caloric intake. I was doing yoga 3 days a week. But, something was not working. So, this past week I decreased my caloric intake on The Daily Plate. Previously, my allowance was 1,843 calories a day which would help me lose 1 pound a week. I decreased that to 1,352 calories a day which would help me lose 2 pounds a week. Let's see if that works!

Week 4 Weigh In: Disappointed but Determined

I am sorry to be late on this post, but last week was a bit discouraging so that writing this week's weigh in was not really exciting for me. I started the week off really good ... had a healthy day of meals and snacking, had my new tea, went to yoga and had good hopes since the week before was better than expected. But, at 3 am on Tuesday morning Little 'Ny came down with a 48 hour flu forcing me to stay home from work. I closely watched what I ate for the day to make up for missing yoga.

Wednesday, Little 'Ny was feeling better so I took her to the mall to run some errands. But malls are not good for diets -- too much fried and greasy food. Thursday, Little 'Ny went back to school, but I stayed home so I would be near by if she needed to come home ... another yoga class missed. Friday, I finally went back into the office, but there were donuts which my will power is very weak against.

The weekend wasn’t much better. We went to two BBQs and were missing meals. I brought healthy snacks with me, but there was not much thought on the hours of when I was eating them.

In the end the damage was done. I gained back one of those nasty pounds I lost the week before. It is not terrible, but it was so disappointing. It has lit a fire under me. I have taken this week’s diet and exercise much more seriously to make up for last week. I have cut down the carbs, boosted up the protein and worked really hard at yoga class. Let’s hope this Sunday shows some results.

Week 3 Weigh In: A new challenge pays off

As you know I manage Red Lotus Mama and this blog. I also have another blog that is just for my family. This blog was intended to be updated daily, but as you might guess it is a lot of work. So, this week I tried something new ... The Daily Plate. It is a free online service that helps you track what you eat. You start by entering your current age, height, weight. how much you want to lose. Then it calculates how many calories you can eat a day. Every day you enter in the food you eat and you can keep a diary. You can view your calorie intake chart along with a bunch of other charts (sodium, sugar, cholesterol, etc.). At first I thought it would be difficult to constantly update it, but I found that it is quite easy and inspiring. It has become a good challenge to stay below my calorie intake target level. I ate healthier this week than I have in a long time.

On Wednesday I did a hatha yoga class and on Thursday I went with a co-worker to a yoga/pilates fusion class. After 2 1/2 years of no exercise (other than chasing and picking up Little 'Ny) doing these two classes has left me pretty sore. But, it is a good kind of sore. I have more energy. I feel lean again. I am starting to feel like my old self.

As a result of these two changes I have lost 3 pounds in one week! I am so incredible proud of myself. I am starting to have some confidence that I can lose this weight. Sacrifices and will power are showing positive results. Let's hope I can keep up the pace!

Week 2 Weigh In: Importance of Breakfast

A friend of mine who is also a reader noticed that on Day 12 and Day 13 I did not eat breakfast. She reminded me that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. She is right. I don't typically don't function well without breakfast and my cup o' caffeine (latte or black tea). If I skip it I get a headache and/or really cranky.

I love breakfast foods while Hubs can eat ANYTHING for breakfast (even salad).

As a Filipino I was raised on eggs, rice and longgonisa. It is such a comfort food for me. To this day my mom still makes it for me if I come over for breakfast.

I have never craved "sweet" breakfasts (pancakes or waffles), but I enjoy them if set in front of me. My favorite breakfast in college was a bagel with cream cheese (and I wonder where I got my Freshman 15 pounds came from).

Now that I am in my 30s and a mom my metabolism simply doesn't allow me to indulge in a yummy breakfast. I work full time and Little 'Ny is in day care, so a sit down breakfast is not in the daily schedule either. So, what is on my breakfast menu: a cup of Smart Start cereal or Quaker Instant Oatmeal.

Leave me a comment if you have any other "grab and go" breakfast recommendations?

Week 1 Weigh In:

This first week of "dieting" went well with the exception of 2 birthday parties and a BBQ. I believe the amout of calories I consumed in 24 hours (starting with my dad's birthday dinner) equals the amount of calories I ate in 5 days. I think I have OD'ed on cake.

I discovered how wonderful almonds could be, I do still have some form of will power and cereal can be eaten for any meal (especially if you need to balance out the calories consumed in the day.

Let's see how this week goes ... my cousin brought we down Girl Scout cookies. Will power will be put to the test!